Here are a few of the services we offer:

1. Exhaust service

2. Battery service

3. Brakes service

4. Air conditioning service

5. Oil change service

6. Shock absorber service

Your can find all the services your local partner can offer in the dealer search.

1. Exhaust service

The exhaust system is an important factor in getting the best performance out of your vehicle and its catalytic converter guarantees a clean environment. An intact exhaust means adjusted noise development. Your exhaust system is exposed on a daily basis to corrosion by water and salt (especially in winter). When it is attacked, it is not long before you end up with lower engine performance, loud noises and higher fuel consumption.

So have your exhaust system regularly checked by your First Stop partner. This will keep you best prepared for everything.

2. Battery service

The battery is the heart of your engine. If it is not working properly, neither will your car. During the winter period in particular many current-consuming appliances are in use: lights, radio, rear-window defroster, fan. This can deal a weak battery the final blow. We therefore recommend that your battery be checked regularly at a First Stop partner near you. This will prevent nasty surprises. And you can then let someone else use your jump leads.

3. Brakes service

Brakes are mainly responsible for your safety. You have to be able to rely on your brakes in case of need. Defective or faulty brakes endanger others as well as you yourself. So have your brakes checked regularly by your First Stop partner. A simple way to avoid costly repairs.

4. Air conditioning service

No one who has air conditioning in their car would want to give it up on hot summer days. And those who do not have it would very much like to have it.

90% of all new cars leave the production line with air conditioning, since, besides being more comfortable, it provides greater safety, a "cool head" being able to react faster and more efficiently. Even at a temperature of 25°C, the reaction time of the driver can deteriorate by 65% within an hour.

There are also disadvantages, however: many people complain that their air conditioning system does not cool properly or even smells. The reason for this is simple: even when they leave the factory, air conditioning units are not 100% sealable. This means there is a slight loss of coolant, which amounts to approx. 8-10% per year. Unpleasant odours caused by fungi and bacteria are given off in the area of the damp warm evaporator.

Here are some practical tips on how to deal with the air conditioning system:

• Regularly let the system run for at least 10 minutes, even in winter.
  Only this allows the lubrication to seal the unit. In addition, the system helps to demist windows faster in winter.
• About 5 minutes before the end of your journey turn off the air conditioning but leave the fan running.
  This allows the surface of the evaporator to dry off properly, giving fungi and bacteria  less chance to establish themselves.
• Disinfect the system and change the pollen filter annually
• Have the air conditioning unit serviced by your First Stop partner.
  Regular servicing (at least every 2 years) prevents costly repairs to the whole unit. Speak to your First Stop partner about the air conditioning service, and this partner will be happy to advise you.

5. Oil change service

Motor oil is becoming increasingly important in protecting and getting the most from your engine. Motor oils are perfectly designed to: 

We at First Stop make sure you always get the best oil for your engine. Ask us about an oil change. We will be happy to advise you. When you have your oil changed at your First Stop dealer, you will also receive an oil change passport*. This passport entitles you to a free oil change after your fifth change**.

* only at participating dealers
** only for vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 2 litres, includes oil plus filter

Ask us, the oil experts

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about motor oils:

Can you mix different brands of motor oil?
Yes. Motor oils that conform to international specifications are even required to be miscible with one another. However, do not go below the lowest quality demanded by engine manufacturers.

Are you allowed to put in additional additives that are sometimes advertised?
No. Good quality oils contain additives that enable them to meet international standards of quality. Their efficiency can be severely reduced through the use of external additives. Many engine manufacturers even prohibit the use of additional additives.

Can you mix synthetic and mineral motor oils together?
You can, but it should only be done in exceptional cases. The generally higher quality of synthetic motor oils is reduced by simple mineral oils unless they are overaged.

What do the abbreviations on tins of oil mean?

All of the important information about the composition and quality of the oil is given in abbreviated form on the tin.

For example, Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30:

SAE stands for “Society of Automotive Engineers”. The combination of letters and numbers SAE 5W-30 provides information about the viscosity of the motor oil, so its flowability. The SAE classifies lubricating oils firstly according to their viscosity and defines a total of six winter and five summer classes of oil.

The winter class, denoted by a “W”, provides information about the low temperature viscosity. The lower the winter class, the better the flow properties of the oil during a cold start, even at very low temperatures.

The SAE summer class (number after the “W”) denotes the viscosity at the operating temperature of the engine. A high figure guarantees a safe, tough film of lubricant even at high speed and stress. A relatively low value favours low fuel consumption and more power. The right choice depends entirely on the quality of the oil, but the viscosity classes do not provide any information about that.

6.Shock absorber service

The main job of shock absorbers is to reduce the vibration of the vehicle as much as possible, in order to ensure that the wheels maintain the same contact with the ground under all circumstances.

The shock absorbers keep the car on course when you apply the brakes, take corners or drive over cobbles or when the car is subjected to strong side winds. They also reduce the shocks that are transferred through the suspension.

If a spring suspension had no shock absorbers (or worn shock absorbers) and a wheel hit a pothole, the wheel would be thrown against the vehicle body, during which the spring would absorb some of the shock. The spring would then relax again and push the wheel in the opposite direction.

Even a simple pothole will cause your car with a defective shock absorber to lose contact with the ground and the braking distance will increase. You should therefore have your shock absorbers checked every 20,000 kilometres.

Possible effects of worn shock absorbers:

Ask your First Stop partner to check your shock absorbers. It will improve your safety!